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The three travelers went to bed early that night. When Miril awoke the next morning, she found Elrohir was no longer in bed. In fact, the place in the bed he usually occupied was cold, so he couldn't have left recently.

"Where'd he get to," she muttered, turning over to face the wall which contained the large window.

A light knock sounded at the door. Miril called for whoever it was to enter. It was Elumeril.

"Good morning, my lady," Elumeril smiled. "Shall we get you ready for the day?"

Miril sighed. "Must I?"

"I'm afraid so," the girl frowned. "The King called a meeting of the Council of Gondor while you were away which is supposed to meet today. That is why Prince Faramir is here, and Prince Imrahil arrived in the late hours of the night after summons reached him a day ago."

"Who else has arrived," Miril asked, standing and allowing Elumeril to dress her in a deep red dress with black accents. "Have the other lords come?"

"Indeed! Most all of them are coming. Lord Golasgil of Anfalas arrived early this morning and last I heard Lord Angbor was sighted alongside Lord Duinhir coming up the road to Minas Tirith." Elumeril paused. "How would you like your hair, my lady?"

"A braid is good enough," Miril smiled as she sat facing forward with her maidservant behind her. "What about the leaders from the North Kingdom?"

"The Shire has yet to select a representative," Elumeril replied as she began the braid. "But Lady Althea is here to represent the remaining Rangers who are beginning the rebuild of Annuminas."

Miril smiled. Althea. The woman had been busy for the past month up in the Northern lands, organizing groups of rangers and using money that Aragorn sent for the rebuilding of the settlements of Annuminas and Tinnudir. They had to find raw materials as well as skilled craftsmen and laborers to begin the process in earnest. Miril would be glad to see her friend.

"Where are the Queen's brothers," Miril asked suddenly. "I had almost forgotten that Elrohir disappeared on me this morning."

Elumeril flashed a small smile, "Last I heard, they were dining with Queen Arwen for breakfast."

"How do you know all this, Elumeril?" Miril shook her head as the girl finished the braid and turned around to face her maidservant. "You certainly are well informed!"

"I have many friends among the servants, and servants talk," Elumeril admitted sheepishly. "Word gets around."

Miril laughed as she stood up and slipped on her black shoes. "Remind me never to divulge secrets to you, then."

Elumeril looked taken aback. "My lady! I would never betray your confidentiality. I promise!"

"I believe you," Miril nodded with a chuckle. "I was merely joking."

Elumeril looked unconvinced but nodded.

"When is the meeting of the Council supposed to take place?" Miril asked as she opened the door. "Is there time for me to grab a bite to eat?"

"Should be, my lady. I know that King Elessar wished to see you before the Council, however, so keep this in mind."

Miril nodded and thanked the girl, heading down the steps and into the main hallway of the Citadel. She made her way to the dining hall where she found that Aragorn was eating alongside Prince Imrahil and three other lords of distinguished names. There was Lord Golasgil of Anfalas, Lord Duinhir of Morthond, and Lord Angbor of Lamedon. The latter two were rather aged while Golasgil was younger. Miril had not formally met the three lords, but their reputation preceded them.

"Ah, Miril," Aragorn nodded. "Glad to see you up. Let me introduce Lords Angbor, Duinhir, and Golasgil."

"My lords," she curtseyed to them.

"My lords, this is my ward, Lady Miril of the House of Fëanoriel." Aragorn finished the introductions. "If you'll excuse us a moment, I must speak to her."

Aragorn rose from his seat and took Miril by the arm, guiding her out of the room. With the door closed behind them, he took her to a side passage and began to speak to her.

"The Council meeting is a formality that must be seen to, I am afraid. However with the votes of myself, Althea, Imrahil, and Faramir, along with yourself, it should go fine."

"What should, Aragorn?" Miril was utterly confused.

He sighed. "The Council must agree to send you South."

She looked at him in consternation. What was she hearing? There was a chance she might be forbidden from going?

"You do realize that even if they vote against it, that I will go to Harad and Khand anyways?"

Aragorn looked at her with a mix of frustration, understanding, and pity. "I know you think that, but if you do, you will be breaking a direct order from the Council of Gondor. That is essentially treason."

"Aragorn you are king. You have final say!" Miril was furious and did not understand his logic. "You can tell them to let us go!"

"This is true," Aragorn nodded. "This is true. But I have already done much without the Council's backing and I do not wish to appear as a tyrant. I wish to rule for the people, not rule the people."

"You better hope they vote to let me go," Miril glared. "Because I will go no matter what, and you will have to stop me."

She stalked off to await the council summons. She was in brooding mode now and nothing would snap her out of it. Gondor was in danger, Middle Earth was in danger. She would not let any petty politics get in the way. She would rebel against authority, even authority she loved, if it meant saving Middle Earth.

Aragorn, meanwhile, was regretting he'd said anything. There was no reason to believe they wouldn't get a majority vote. It was already heavily stacked in their favor as long as Imrahil voted alongside the King. There was no reason to believe they wouldn't get the movement approved of.